Dictionary of Biblical Words:
Equivalent to pruning (John 15:2), and meaning God’s discipline and chastening whereby the child of God is practically made more fruitful to God’s glory. Sorrow and suffering are thus knives, that God often uses in grace to check the flesh in us.
Strong’s Dictionary of Greek Words:
Transliteration:
kathairo
Meaning:
from 2513; to cleanse, i.e. (specially) to prune; figuratively, to expiate